...
Go Back
–+ servings
Close-up of homemade bruschetta recipe on toasted baguette slices, topped with vibrant red tomatoes, fresh green basil, and creamy white melted cheese.

Fresh Bruschetta

5 from 1 vote
Aliana Recipes
Crispy toasted bread rubbed with garlic and topped with vibrant tomatoes, fresh basil, and quality olive oil. This classic Italian appetizer transforms simple ingredients into pure Mediterranean elegance that disappears from platters in minutes.
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 10 minutes
Resting Time 5 minutes
Total Time 30 minutes
Servings:12 pieces
Course:Appetizer, Breakfast, Starter
Cuisine:Italian, Mediterranean
Calories:95kcal
Cost:$8.5
Ingredients Equipment Method Nutrition Notes

Ingredients
  

  • 1 loaf Italian baguette Or ciabatta bread, sliced diagonally ½-inch thick
  • 6 medium Roma tomatoes Ripe, diced and seeded
  • 3 cloves Garlic Minced for topping mixture
  • 2 whole Garlic cloves For rubbing on toasted bread
  • ¼ cup Fresh basil leaves Chopped, not dried
  • 3 tablespoons Extra virgin olive oil Quality matters for flavor
  • 2 tablespoons Balsamic vinegar For tangy sweetness
  • ½ teaspoon Salt Season tomato mixture
  • ¼ teaspoon Black pepper Freshly ground preferred
  • 8 ounces Fresh mozzarella Optional, sliced for topping

Equipment

  • 1 Large baking sheet To toast bread slices in single layer
  • 1 Large mixing bowl To combine tomato mixture ingredients
  • 1 Sharp knife For slicing bread and dicing tomatoes
  • 1 Pastry brush To brush olive oil on bread slices

Method
 

  1. Preheat oven to 425°F. Slice bread diagonally into ½-inch pieces and arrange on baking sheet. Brush lightly with olive oil and toast 8-10 minutes until golden brown and crispy on edges but slightly soft in center.
  2. While bread toasts, combine diced tomatoes, minced garlic, chopped basil, olive oil, balsamic vinegar, salt, and pepper in a large bowl. Mix gently and let sit for flavors to meld together.
  3. Remove toasted bread from oven and immediately rub each slice with a cut garlic clove while still warm. This creates an aromatic base that infuses bread with subtle garlic flavor throughout.
  4. Just before serving, drain excess liquid from tomato mixture and spoon generously onto each piece of toasted bread, ensuring every bite gets the perfect balance of toppings and crispy base.
  5. If using mozzarella, place a slice on each bruschetta and return to oven for 2-3 minutes just until cheese begins to soften but doesn't melt completely. Serve immediately.

Nutrition

Serving: 60gCalories: 95kcalCarbohydrates: 12gProtein: 3gFat: 4gSaturated Fat: 0.6gPolyunsaturated Fat: 0.5gMonounsaturated Fat: 2.5gSodium: 180mgPotassium: 125mgFiber: 1gSugar: 2gVitamin A: 420IUVitamin C: 8mgCalcium: 20mgIron: 0.8mg

Notes

The secret to exceptional bruschetta lies in three simple rules: use the ripest, most flavorful tomatoes you can find, always remove seeds and excess juice to prevent sogginess, and assemble just before serving. Rubbing warm toasted bread with raw garlic creates an aromatic foundation that infuses every bite with subtle flavor. This timing makes the difference between good bruschetta and restaurant-quality appetizers that guests will remember long after the evening ends.